CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE

[MvRBE10]

Yup, $10K DAC's.............this is one crazy A#* hobby!!!

I mod my 65k datsun hobby car so whats crazy and i mod my 800k house?

 

[Triode User]

That’s an interesting choice. There aren’t that many viable dacs at around $30k: dCS Rossini, Emm Labs DA2, Linn Klimax DS Organik, MSB (the middle one) and Playback Designs dream dac. I would not put Chord among that group TBH. There are other players that may have a dac in the price range but I don’t count those (e.g. Audio Note).

Out of interest, and context, what dac do you own?

 

[chesebert]

Out of interest, and context, what dac do you own?

They are all in my profile...
Linn Klimax DS (SMPS)
Linn Akurate DS (SMPS)
Emm Labs dac2x (SMPS)
Ayre codex (LPS)
mojo+poly (Battery)

too many, I know....

Edit to indicate power supply type.

 

[chesebert]

Out of interest, and context, what dac do you own?

I saw your cables., and I have a question. Why did you decide to build a BNC cable rather than a proper AES cable? BNC is still on the spdif standard and can only output max 0.75v P-P and is subject to external R/F noise. AES/EBU solves this problem by increasing the signal to 7v P-P, an almost 20dB boost in signal strength. In addition, AES are carried using XLR cable, which means you get CMRR, which by design will eliminate external R/F. Just curious.

 

[edwardsean]

Everything got better! I call it the arc6 plus!

Can’t do this with the Farad board installed!

Please do let us know what you did here. I'm wildly curious.

For myself, I'm doing my modding within the external SJ PS, so a little less risky. However, that empty space in the Dave chasis is begging to be used for something good. Is that a bank of Nichicons?

 

[Triode User]

I saw your cables., and I have a question. Why did you decide to build a BNC cable rather than a proper AES cable? BNC is still on the spdif standard and can only output max 0.75v P-P and is subject to external R/F noise. AES/EBU solves this problem by increasing the signal to 7v P-P, an almost 20dB boost in signal strength. In addition, AES are carried using XLR cable, which means you get CMRR, which by design will eliminate external R/F. Just curious.

As you ask, it was because in the early days I had the Chord Blu MkII which has dual BNC output and now I have the Mscaler also connected to the Dave via dual BNC. Also, AES’s inherent external noise rejection cannot help when the source component is itself overlaying RF noise on the signal (and which seems to be the case with many manufacturers streamers and transports).

I have tried AES into Dave (my streamer outputs USB, BNC, Toslink, AES, i2s) and I prefer the sound quality of BNC input into the Dave and Mscaler (Mscaler does not have an AES input). I do accept that there might be an element of YMMV on the matter of which input is preferred into the the Dave/Mscaler but quite a few of us prefer BNC.

 

[edwardsean]

Yeah, if you put a DC4 on both the DAVE and M-Scaler, it brings the cost up to near the cost of a DCS Rossini + Clock. That was my dilemma for a long time before getting the two DC4s. I figured I already had the DAVE and the M-Scaler, so buying 2 DC4s was cheaper than starting fresh with DCS gear. If I had to start over again, I’d try to demo a Rossini and Clock right next to my DC4 mDAVE.

Before I go through a round of major investment into the Dave, I find myself at my dealers listening to dCS components. I've brought home the Bartok twice now and then also looked at the Rossini. I wondered if I could just live with these big boxes instead of the Dave and the capillary network of components feeding it. Can't do it.

People describe listening to dCS gear as transporting them to a euphoric, blissful world. I agree. It is a simply sumptuous sound. However, it is the dCS world. Every sonic component is drenched with dCS's dense, velvety texture. I could easily see why people love it. For me though, the Dave brings me more faithfully into the world of the music.

To my ears, the Dave System does not coat but better reveals gradients of timbral textures as rendered by the sources. The shapes and shading seem to come more directly from the beauty of the instruments and voices themselves. I think this is the wonder of what Rob Watts achieved in the Dave. Then this ecosystem of gear around It pumps in greater mass and flesh, detail and dynamics.

Is Dave + LPS (maybe someone will design an equally great SMPS?) + Upscaling + Server (reclocker), etc. the best DAC in the world? I don't know. I'd love to also hear an EMM or MSB at some point. But, irregardless, this system remains something pretty special, and of a truth, It's been outrageously good fun building it.

ps. By the by, if you don't know, Sean Jacobs sells DIY DC4 modules. https://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/dc3dc4-diy-modules

 

[marcmccalmont]

What PS mod is this one?

Mine! I’ve passed it along to Sean Jacobs

 

[marcmccalmont]

Please do let us know what you did here. I'm wildly curious.

For myself, I'm doing my modding within the external SJ PS, so a little less risky. However, that empty space in the Dave chasis is begging to be used for something good. Is that a bank of Nichicons?

Yes Nichicon UKZ I’ve passed along my notes to Sean Jacobs a significant improvement in all respects

 

[marcmccalmont]

Before I go through a round of major investment into the Dave, I find myself at my dealers listening to dCS components. I've brought home the Bartok twice now and then also looked at the Rossini. I wondered if I could just live with these big boxes instead of the Dave and the capillary network of components feeding it. Can't do it.

People describe listening to dCS gear as transporting them to a euphoric, blissful world. I agree. It is a simply sumptuous sound. However, it is the dCS world. Every sonic component is drenched with dCS's dense, velvety texture. I could easily see why people love it. For me though, the Dave brings me more faithfully into the world of the music.

To my ears, the Dave System does not coat but better reveals gradients of timbral textures as rendered by the sources. The shapes and shading seem to come more directly from the beauty of the instruments and voices themselves. I think this is the wonder of what Rob Watts achieved in the Dave. Then this ecosystem of gear around It pumps in greater mass and flesh, detail and dynamics.

Is Dave + LPS (maybe someone will design an equally great SMPS?) + Upscaling + Server (reclocker), etc. the best DAC in the world? I don't know. I'd love to also hear an EMM or MSB at some point. But, irregardless, this system remains something pretty special, and of a truth, It's been outrageously good fun building it.

ps. By the by, if you don't know, Sean Jacobs sells DIY DC4 modules. https://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/dc3dc4-diy-modules

It’s a hobby so there is no right or wrong but I’m with you getting closer to live music is what I prefer over the seductive high end stereo store sound. My Dave, Spectral amps and MBL speakers gets me close!

 

[Powersquat]

Yes it is a 3 pin mini xlr I ordered a Farad super 3 20vdc but you might consider this I have one on order Linear Tube Audio LPS+ http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/project-cd-box-rs2-transport/
I ordered the Farad without the connector and terminated it myself Linear Tube Audio will supply the dc cable with the correct mini xlr. The LTA has the advantage of shielded r core transformer shottky diodes and berelson regulators and proper layout ac input on one side and dc output on the other

Thank's, I had read about the LTA whilst researching the Project transport, Ted J's review was a major influence in my decision to demonstrate the RS2.

LTA or Farad?, technically at least, it would appear the LTA should outperform the Farad, but without the opportunity to demonstrate both units, who knows.

Hopefully, you may be in a position to enlighten me once You've had a chance to try the LTA power supply.

 

[marcmccalmont]

LTA or Farad?, technically at least, it would appear the LTA should outperform the Farad, but without the opportunity to demonstrate both units, who knows.

Hopefully, you may be in a position to enlighten me once You've had a chance to try the LTA power supply.

I should have the LTA in 2-3 weeks add some time for break in and I’ll provide feed back but I’m optimistic. The project UNI 1 was a noticeable improvement over the stock wall wart and the Farad a noticeable improvement over the UNI 1 so I’m hoping for another improvement with the LTA

 

[Triode User]

Before I go through a round of major investment into the Dave, I find myself at my dealers listening to dCS components. I've brought home the Bartok twice now and then also looked at the Rossini. I wondered if I could just live with these big boxes instead of the Dave and the capillary network of components feeding it. Can't do it.

People describe listening to dCS gear as transporting them to a euphoric, blissful world. I agree. It is a simply sumptuous sound. However, it is the dCS world. Every sonic component is drenched with dCS's dense, velvety texture. I could easily see why people love it. For me though, the Dave brings me more faithfully into the world of the music.

To my ears, the Dave System does not coat but better reveals gradients of timbral textures as rendered by the sources. The shapes and shading seem to come more directly from the beauty of the instruments and voices themselves. I think this is the wonder of what Rob Watts achieved in the Dave. Then this ecosystem of gear around It pumps in greater mass and flesh, detail and dynamics.

Is Dave + LPS (maybe someone will design an equally great SMPS?) + Upscaling + Server (reclocker), etc. the best DAC in the world? I don't know. I'd love to also hear an EMM or MSB at some point. But, irregardless, this system remains something pretty special, and of a truth, It's been outrageously good fun building it.

ps. By the by, if you don't know, Sean Jacobs sells DIY DC4 modules. https://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/dc3dc4-diy-modules

Thanks for the link thats a good shout out for those DIY DC4 modules especially because in the UK they do not attract VAT.

Sam Rosen at Positve Feedback has done one review where he says he considers a standard factory powered Dave (but sorted in other ways) + Mscaler as being at the same level as the Rossini. I have not heard a Rossini but a friend is bringing his Terminator + over mid march and I’m hoping a friendly dealer will add a Rossini into the mix as well . . . .

 

[edwardsean]

It’s a hobby so there is no right or wrong but I’m with you getting closer to live music is what I prefer over the seductive high end stereo store sound. My Dave, Spectral amps and MBL speakers gets me close!

Yes! Also, tastes change for a variety of reasons. Over time, I've gravitated toward realism over lushness. I still love euphonic textures but as rendered in the production and less from the reproduction. I could see someone else moving the other direction.

Yes Nichicon UKZ I’ve passed along my notes to Sean Jacobs a significant improvement in all respects

So, is that your take on an "Arc6" style recap board nestled in that Chamber w/in Dave, 15 Muses instead of the 6 Mundorfs, no choke? Are you using DC4 regulators externally or is the whole PS your own design?

Maybe it's best to take this off the thread.

 

[TheAttorney]

Cool. I look forward to that.

I look forward to it as well [SJ vs Farad power supplies]. While you're at it, it would be useful to see where the DC3 (if you still have it) fits into this pecking order.
Whilst it's highly unlikely (but still possible) that the Farad can beat an ARC6 DC4, a more telling comparison would be against the DC3.